The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now I will see whether or not what I say will come true for you” – (Numbers 11:23)
Our verse today is drawn from an epic dialogue between Moses and God. In this case the Israelites after being liberated from Egypt had begun to halter and were doubting of God’s ability to deliver them to safety. Their apparent lack of faith had not settled well with God who wished to destroy all out there. But Moses was not yet. He rises and boldly pleads with God to rescue him of this disaster, even offering his life, if need be. “If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me – if I have found favour in your eyes – and do not let me face my own ruin” (Numbers 11: 15).
The significance of this is that Moses had that confidence to take and argue his case before the Almighty God. We find not only Moses but others who pleaded with God as one would with a good father. Seeing the desolation of Jerusalem, Daniel wept and pleaded with God, “Lord, listen! Lord forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God do not delay, because your city and your people bear my name” (Daniel 9:19). Also, King David once in distress also pleaded directly to God. “Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me, redeem me because of my foes.. I am in pain and distress, may your salvation, O God, protect me” (Psalm 69:18-29).
What we see in all these passages is individuals who when pressed would not hesitate but go and plead with the Almighty directly. This is why it has often been said as Christian the relation we have with God is a personal one, unlike many other faiths. For believers we enjoy that confidence of walking up to God to plead any matter before him as would a child before a loving father. After all, ours is a God who says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord (Isaiah 1:18).
Much like Moses, Daniel and David, today take whatever matter is deep on your heart, lay it before His feet, and plead with Him, whose answer is there for you; “Is the Lord’s arm too short..” (Numbers 11:23).
Prayer for today: Lord father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I walk directly to you and plead my case that you show me your mercy and everlasting goodness, in Jesus’s name, I do pray!
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
